Apparatus for producing artificial geysers



(No Model.)

J. WISTER. I APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ARTIFICIAL GEYSERS.

Patented Mar. 8, 1898.-

amaswwbk FFICEI.

JONES W'ISTER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ARTIFICIAL GEYSERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,469, dated March 8, 1898.

Application filed September 22, 1897. Serial No. 652,568. (No model.)

To CLZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JONES IVISTER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an Apparatus for Producing Artificial Geysers, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to reproduce by mechanical means those natural phenomena known as geysers, mud-springs, &c., which are found in different parts of the world, particularly in Iceland and in the district known as the Yellowstone National Park in the United States.

A further object of my invention is to produce ornamental effects by imparting to the projected column of water and vapor constituting the geyser varying colors or tints, so that an attractive display can be made at night,the device thus constituting an instruct ive and beautiful addition to the attractions of public parks or other places to which people resort for amusement or recreation.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents in diagrammatic form apparatus intended for carrying out my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the rockwork structure or mound from which the geyser spouts, this view also showing the means employed for producing the ornamental light effects. Fig. 3 is a sectional view illustrating another method of producing a geyser in accordance with my invention, and Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the application of my invention to the reproduction of a mud-spring.

In carrying out my invention a steam-generator of any available type may be used, that represented at 1 in Fig. 1 being one of the ordinary locomotive type. An ordinary form of injector, such as is now commonly used for feeding water to steam-boilers, is represented at 2, the valved steam-supply pipe for this injector being represented at 3 and the water-supply pipe at 4,said water-supply pipe receiving its water from an adjacent well 5 or from any other suitable source of supply. The discharge-pipe 6 of the injector leads to a mound 7 of rockwork or to such other formation as may be desired, and said pipe 6 terminates in a flaring and upwardlydischarging mouth or nozzle 8, as shown in Fig. 2. From the boiler 1 extends another steam-pipe 9, which is provided with a controlling-valve 10 and enters the dischargepipe 6 of the injector, so as to admit steam under pressure thereto in any desired volume, depending upon the adjustment of the valve 10.

In producing an artificial geyser by means of the apparatus described the valve 10 is first closed, and the injector 2 is then started, so as to drive a volume of mingled water and steam through the discharge-pipe 6, and when this current has been established steam is admitted into the pipe 6 by opening the valve 10, the result being that a column of mingled steam and water is forcibly projected from the nozzle 8 to a considerable height, as shown in Fig. -1, the height of the column being dependent upon the pressure of steam, and its character being controlled to a considerable extent by the operation of the valve 10, a restricted flow through said Valve resulting in the projection of a broad or fan-like column of restricted height, while increased flow increases the height of the column and restricts its lateral dimensions. The character of the column is also to, some extent affected by chance, depending upon the mingling of the Water and steam in the pipe 6, so that the projected column of steam and water is constantly Varying in character and closely imitates the variousmoods of the natural geyser which it is supposed to represent.

In order to illuminate the geyser, so as to render it more beautiful and effective for night display, I provide an ordinary calcium-light apparatus or electric-light projector, whereby a stream of light may be thrown onto the geyser,so as to brilliantly illuminate the same, the color of the light being varied by the use of different-colored screens in the ordinary way, soas to produce very beautiful eifects. The light should by preference be projected onto the geyser as close to the base of the same as possible. Hence I provide immediately adjacent to the discharge end of the pipe 6 a Water-tight structure 11, having a portion 12 of its roof composed of glass, this structure being large enough for receiving an ordinary calcium or electric light apparatus and for the accommodation of the attendant who operates the same.

Although I prefer to use in carrying out my invention apparatus of the character shown in Fig. 1, said invention is not limited thereto. For instance, in Fig. 3 I have shown a construction in which a steam-pipe 13 with flaring nozzle discharges into a flaring chamber 14, into which water from a surrounding stream or pond is permitted to overflow either continuously or intermittently, the rising current of steam under pressure lifting the water with it and producing measurably the same effect as though the water and steam were both forced through the pipe.

In'carrying out my invention I can also reproduce the mud-geysers by using instead of Water a liquid or semiliquid mixture of Water and earth or clay, and I can also reproduce the phenomena known as mud-springs, or, as they are termed in the Yellowstone dis trict, the paint-pots, each of these consisting of a body of semiliquid clay or mudcontained in a depression in the earth or rock surface and either in a continual or intermittent state of ebullition. In order to reproduce these phenomena, I provide a body 15, of semiliquid clay, which may be colored, as desired, to imitate the colors of the natural" bodies in the Yellowstone region. Into this body of semiliquid clay I discharge upwardly from one or more pipes 16 streams or jets off steam under pressure, the flow being either continuous or intermittent, as desired, and having the effect of agitating the semiliquid mass 15 and causing the spouting or bubbling of the surface of the same, as may be desired, the effect being varied in force by variation in the pressure or force of the jets.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In apparatus for producing artificial geysers, &0 the combination of a steam-gener- 5 ator, a steam-discharge pipe having an upwardly-discharging nozzle, and provision for introducing volumes of liquid or semiliquid material into the path of the current of steam conveyed by said pipe whereby said liquid or semiliquid material will be carried upwardly by the steam column, substantially as specified.

2. In'apparatus for producing artificial geysers, &c., the combination of a steam-generator, an injector whereby a flow of mingled steam and liquid or semiliquid material is caused to pass through a discharge-pipe, and a valved pipe for admitting steam under pressure to said discharge-pipe, substantially as specified.

3. In apparatus for producing artificial geysers, &c., the combination of a steam-generator, a steam-discharge pipe having a flaring nozzle, and provision for introducing volumes of liquid or semiliquid material into the path of the current of steam which passes through said pipe and is ejected from said nozzle, substantially as specified.

4. Inapparatus for producing artificial geysers, &c., the combination of means for projecting upwardly volumes of steam and liquid or semiliquid material, with a water-tight structure located adjacent to the base of the projected column and containing provision for projecting light onto said column, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses. I

JONES WISTER.

Witnesses:

WILL A. BARR, J os; H. KLEIN. 

